Willie G's is a great place to have a happy hour snack and a cocktail in the middle of the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. The street facing patio allows diners to relax with a drink and watch Denver tourists and businesspeople pass by.

Willie G's is one of those sheik, expensive steak houses in downtown Denver. The kind of place I would never be able to afford unless it was restaurant week or happy hour. Luckily, Willie G's offers an extensive, yet predictable happy hour menu Monday-Friday from 3-7pm in the bar and patio.

The drink choices are extensive; beers, wells and cocktails range anywhere from $2.75 for a Coors Lite to $6 for drinks like cosmopolitans and margaritas. I knew I was going to have a good night when I saw Fat Tire for only $3.

There are many food choices, but I found some of them to be predictable bar food. The kobe beef sliders, the new rage that can be found at almost any happy hour, were tasty for only $5. The $3 basket of potato chips, onion strings and jalapeno rings were a bit of a disappointment. The basket only contained 2 jalapenos rings, the rest was potato chips and onion strings. I do have to respect a place that makes their own, ketchup, though. The $5 prime rib bruschetta was tender, and artfully presented on the plate.

The best thing about Willie G's is the location. It is always fun to sit on a patio and watch people pass by the 16th Street Mall while I sip on my Fat Tire or glass of wine. The food is good and there are lots of choices, but none of them strike me as being really special. The atmosphere makes up for any detriments on the menu. The happy hour choices are extensive and sure to please anyone.